SONGBIRD sanctuary

Ways to make our feathered friends even more welcome and help them sail through winter

- CHRIS MORLEY

Cold comfort

Songbirds are perhaps the most familiar and captivating of garden visitors, their trills and warbles filling the air at dawn and dusk. Many, like wrens, starlings and song thrushes, are in decline so need a helping hand to weather the lean, mean months ahead. Whether you have a city balcony or tiny patio, throw these much-loved guests a lifeline by providing food, water and shelter.

Green homes

Berry-producing trees, shrubs and climbers offer birds shelter and a sustaining meal. As autumn is prime time for planting, think about growing one of the following specimens:

Ivy A fence covered in evergreen ivy is a sanctuary for birds escaping the wind and cold. When mature, ivy produces energy-packed black berries beloved by blackbirds and starlings.